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B. L. HENDRIGKSON.

STEP LADDER. No. 324,254. Patented Aug. 11, 1885.

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' 'UNITED STATES PATENT ()F ICE.

EDWARD L. HENDRIOKSON, OF GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 324,254, dated August 11, 1885.

Application filed May 28, 1885.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD L. HENDRICK- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gloucester, in the county of Camden, State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Step-Ladders, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2 represent vertical sections of a step-ladder,respectively folded and open, embodying my invention. Fig. 3 represents a top view of the ladder in open condition. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of a portion thereof; and Fig. 5 represents a section in line {I} m, Fig. 4.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists of astep-ladder having a hinged prop, and a platform which is.

provided with pivoted arms hung from one of the rounds, and lips which connect with another round, whereby it may be readily sustained in horizontal position, and when not re quired for use folded with the ladder, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a ladder provided with steps A, and B the prop thereof, the ladder being pivoted to the top of the former and provided with rounds 0, whereby said prop may be swung upwardly and form a continuation of the ladder, having the end of the prop abutting against the end of the ladder, thus increasing the length of the same, the contiguous ends of the ladder and prop being provided, respectively, with a hook or catch, D, and an e5 e, headed pin or screw, E, whereby the parts may be fastened, it being noticed that the prop, owing to its rounds, is lighter than the step-ladder; hence is the part employed to be raised and lowered.

When the prop is employed to sustain the ladder, as usual in step-ladders, the prop and ladder may be held apart by the hooks or irons A as well known.

F represents a platform for holding a bucket or other article near the top of the step-ladder when the latter is opened out, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, said platform having on (No model.)

one end lips G, which are adapted to embrace one of the rounds of the prop, and its other end pivotally connected with supporting-arms H, which are looped on their upper ends and fitted on the upper round or one of the upper rounds of the prop, by which means the platform may be readily and re li-ably sustained in operating position on one round and suspended by the arms H from the other round. When the platform is not required for use, it is pulled outwardly, whereby the lips G are disengaged from the round, and thus the platform may be placed against the outer or inner of the prop, and it depends from the upper round, thus being nicely folded, as will be seen in Fig. 1.

J represents braces, each formed of two arms, J J which are pivoted together, as at a, after the manner of a toggle, and pivoted at one end to the side of the prop, and having at the other end a slot, b, through which is passed a turning button, K, the latter being connected with the ladder A, it being noticed that when the head of the button registers with the slot the brace may be fitted 7 5 over the button, and when the latter is turned at a right angle to the slot the brace is attached to the ladder, thus holding the ladder and prop extended.

, The arm J has a bent lip, J which em-' braces the upper side of the arm J atapoint between the pivot a and slot b, and acts as a stop to the downward motion of the arms, and likewise to the closing or folding action of the arms, whereby the prop is reliably held in its open'or outward position, and the arms are braced laterally. \Vhen a-smart blow is imparted to the under side of the arms, they are thrown up and released, so that they may be folded and the prop closed against the ladder.

The arms J may be disconnected from the ladder by properly turning the buttons K, and then drawing said arms outwardly or laterally so as to clear said buttons.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A step-ladder having a hinged prop and a folding platform which is provided with 100 pivoted arms hung from one of the rounds, and lips which connect with another round, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 2. A stcpdnddcr having a platform pro 5 vided with lips on one side thereof and pivolally secured to u loop-arm connected to an upper round, substantially as described.

3. A stop-ladder having a platform pro vided with lips, and pivotally connected to supporting-arms having loops at their upper :0 ends, and a brace composed of sectional parts, substantial] y as described.

ElnvAl-h'l) L. HENDRICKSON. Witnesses:

JonN A. WIEDERsuEm', A. 1. GRANT. 

